#SuicidePrevention #800-273-TALK-(8255) #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline #Suicide
On average, there are 123 suicides each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And for every person who dies, about 29 more attempt it. It’s now the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
We all know someone touched by suicide. Myself included. I lived with my grandparents until I was 2. I stayed close to my grandfather; he never stopped looking out for me, even as I started college, work, a family. Then, in 2001, he killed himself. It wasn’t a secret, but no one ever talked about it.
That was 17 years ago. And still today, we just don’t talk about suicide.
The media rarely share stories of suicide, in part because we don’t want to make things worse. The practice in newspapers for decades was not to write about suicide at all unless it was done in public or was a public figure.
When the media cover high-profile suicides, especially when they include specific details of the death, the exposure can lead to suicide contagion. In the months after Robin Williams’ death in 2014, suicides rose 10 percent higher than expected, according to a Columbia University study.
But the answer can’t be to ignore suicide and the effect it has on so many. In addition to Laura's personal essay, we felt it important to explore suicide as a broader public health problem. In our reporting, we learned that while suicide rates are up 30 percent over the past 20 years in the USA, funding for it lags behind that of all other top causes of death, leaving suicide research well behind the nation's other top killers.
There is much about suicide we don't know. And in an effort to protect people, news organizations have allowed misconceptions to persist, including the belief that there’s nothing you can do to help someone who is contemplating suicide.
So we know we need to report on suicide, but we must do it carefully. Because when we write about suicide responsibly, we can help save lives.
We’ve talked about this – constantly – in the writing and editing of Laura’s story.
We shared the story with two psychologists who study suicide. They advised us on language to avoid, details to omit and ways to offer support. Stories of survival help, they said. Make sure to include the suicide lifeline number with every story. Talk about warning signs. Safety plans.What to say to someone who is considering suicide.
Not all psychologists agree on exactly how we should or shouldn’t write about suicide. And we didn’t do everything those experts suggested. We felt it was unrealistic to avoid talking about how Laura’s mother killed herself and to avoid every detail of where it took place. We did, however, avoid descriptions of the method in our other reported stories on suicide. Our intent is to inform, not to sensationalize, and we felt these stories were compelling without them.
We discussed language to use on social media if vulnerable readers reached out to us and how to keep the conversation going after this story was published.
We then shared the story with Kelly McBride, senior vice president at the Poynter Institute and an expert on responsible media coverage of suicide. She reviewed the story, headlines, and photos, giving further advice on sensitive phrasing, and suggestions for more details of Laura’s personal journey that could help.
Because the goal of Laura’s story is to help. Help those who’ve been touched by suicide.
Those who’ve considered suicide.
And those who are worried – right now – that someone they love is thinking about suicide.
So let’s not be afraid. Let's find ways to share our stories.
Let’s talk.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.
By Nicole Carroll, USA TODAY, Nov. 28, 2018
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